The “Advent Calendar” at day 10 gives us a piece of the history of whisky, Bushmills Black Bush, NAS from the Irish distillery, aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry Oloroso barrels. Keep in mind that we tasted it blind and its identity was revealed to us only this morning, a few moments before publishing this post. During the whole tasting, we were nagged by the doubt that it could have been an Irish whiskey, but in the end we remained vague, limiting ourselves to recording that typical floral note coming back with insistence.
Whisky #10
It immediately shows clear and naive notes of pear and aromatic yellow apple, like the apple scraped with a teaspoon. We find also a hint of almond flavored acetone and a wrapping sense of fresh flowers and honey here and there. A suggestion of liquid sugar and candy. On the palate, the entrance is frankly a bit too much on tiptoe, almost watery, and there is an easy softness based on sugar syrup. The almond candy becomes a solid reality. It also retains some floral pleasantness, with light notes of honey, but it completely loses any fruity dimension, so satisfying on the nose. By the way, the palate crumbles really too quickly: the finish is short, on pear and wildflowers honey, and not without a turn on the bitterness that, really, leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
We love simple whiskies that are not afraid to denounce their age, we love the sins of youth and fresh flowers lasting just one night. But youth is also a dress you must know how to wear. Here shyness really wins and does not convince: 77/100. Besides, we have hardly ever blindly felt the influence of the ex-Oloroso barrels, but this is certainly our problem. It must be said, finally, that at about 25 euros it remains a whiskey with a nice quality/price ratio.
